A long-distance runner winning a medal at the Olympics seems to be a distant dream now.
In its continuous bid to bring honour to the country in more ways than one, Nitendra Singh Rawat serving the Indian Army has set his eyes on Rio 2016. Apart from guarding the country in Poonch near Kashmir, he now has an added responsibility - bring home a medal.
With five months to go for the Rio Olympics, practice session for Nitendra is at its peak at the Army Sports Institute in Pune.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, the 30-year-old marathon runner said, 'Had it not been for the Army, I would have never been the marathon runner I am today.'
Living life like a soldier
From helping his parents manage their small farm in Uttarakhand to serving in the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir and from chasing cattle as a kid to training for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Such has the been the life of marathon runner, Nitendra Rawat.
Nitendra, a Havildar in the Kumaon Regiment, hails from Garur in the Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand.
Rawat took up athletics in 2008 after joining the armed forces three years back. Although he wanted to be a cricketer and boxer, he was encouraged by his fellow army men to pursue long distance running.
While training at the Army Sports Institue, he said, 'I went through all the fitness trial and enrolled in the army through general quota. I was not sure at first but the very thought of making our country proud made me join the armed forces.'
Nitendra wanted to live his life like a soldier since he was a kid. His uncle who is still in the Army is his inspiration.
'The determination, discipline, and team spirit is certainly something that I learnt from the Army. I cannot thank them enough for the (India rather than I) lesson,’ said the Olympic-bound runner who joined the Army in 2005.
‘I know my limitations very well’
Nitendra who trains seven hours a day and never skips a session was not able to find sponsors for his running shoes some time back. Apart from sending money home to his parents, he had to buy shoes with his own money until helped poured in from all over India.
Pointing out the difference between media coverage and satisfaction, he said, 'I want more people to support me and expect more from me. If people expect more from me, that determination to perform well for the country will come automatically.'
'I started as a 5000m runner. I know my limitations very well. So I informed my coach (Surinder Singh Bhandari) that I should switch to marathon to leave a mark on the international stage,' added Rawat.
‘I don't agree with people blaming the government’
He said, ‘Government are coming up with schemes and whatever improvements the lesser pursued sports are doing, is because of the government's support.’
‘Look at badminton, shooting or wrestling. Athletes are bringing home medals in sports we could not think about few years back. But there has to be more in the terms of resources,’ added Rawat,
Comparing India's achievements in running to Jamaica and Kenya he added, ‘The government is supporting but there needs to be more for sportsmen representing the country as well for youngsters who don't have much opportunity as of now.’
How ‘two minutes’ changed his life
Rawat qualified for the biggest sporting in the world after his personal best score of 2:18:06 at the World Military Games in Korea. That was enough for him to qualify for the marathon event under IAAF's revised guidelines.
The rule was changed from 2:19 to 2:17 and that 'two' minutes changed his life.
He made his mark at the Mumbai Marathon this year after setting a new record of 2:15:48 hours by an Indian, thus breaking the previous course record of 2:16.59 set by fellow army man Ram Singh Yadav in 2012.
The 2015 Airtel Delhi Half Marathon winner displayed his best by finishing first among the Indians and tenth overall after overcoming several world-class athletes.
In the recently-concluded South Asian Games, Rawat clocked his personal best with a time of 2:15:18 and won the gold. He said, "The hard work done over the years has helped me certainly. All three wins were important to me. I will be bringing more laurels for India in the near future.”
‘I might finish in the podium’
Talking about his hunger to achieve Nitendra said, 'You need to believe in yourself. Everybody has the potential and if you have that emotion, everything will fall into place.'
He said, 'You remember you have to give your best irrespective of whether people remembers your name or not. But when people come and congratulate me today, that is indeed very satisfying.'
With just one step away from winning an Olympic medal, he concluded, 'My goal is to finish the race in 2 hours and 10 minutes. If I do that, I might finish in the podium and will be a massive victory for me. Hope I can make India proud.'
Will he rise to the occasion? The Road to Rio has begun.
